wunderkind

[voon-der-kind, wuhn-, voon-duhr-kint]

noun

plural

wunderkinds ,

plural

wunderkinder .

1. a wonder child or child prodigy.

2. a person who succeeds, especially in business, at a comparatively early age.

wunderkind

/ ˈwʌndəˌkɪnd, ˈvʊndərˌkɪnt /

noun

1. a child prodigy

2. a person who is exceptionally successful in his field while still young

Word History and Origins

Origin of wunderkind¹

1890–95; < German, equivalent to Wunder wonder + Kind child

Word History and Origins

Origin of wunderkind¹

C20: German, literally: wonder child

Example Sentences

When he made his 1975 blockbuster “Jaws,” Steven Spielberg was just 26 — a wunderkind director taking on a killer-shark thriller that nearly sank his budding career before launching him into Hollywood history.

From Los Angeles Times

Once an up-and-coming baseball wunderkind, Hank is now content watching his beloved San Francisco Giants play from across the country while he makes a modest name for himself among the bar patrons.

From Salon

At 36, she has completed the transition from wunderkind to elder stateswoman.

From Los Angeles Times

Ince was a wunderkind of the new medium, and a man of cyclonic energy and aptitude.

From Los Angeles Times

The federal funding slashing wunderkind and Musk lackey didn't account for his bigoted social media posts being uncovered by the Wall Street Journal, however.

From Salon

Related Words

• genius 
• sensation 
• whiz 
• wizard